Bracelet and similar article.



E. JONES.

BRACELET AND SIMILAR ARTICLE.

APPLIUATION PILIED NOV. 15. 1912.

Patented July 14, 1914.

mi Nomzls PE1-Ens ca.. v/AsHlNcrorv, o. c.

E. JONES.

BRACELET AND SIMILAR ARTICLE.

'APPLIOATION FILED Nov.15. 1912.

1,103,776. Patented July 14,1914D ERNEST JONES, OF BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

BRACELET AND SIMILAR ARTICLE.

Licence.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 14, 1914.

Application filed November 15, 1912. Serial No. 731,598.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST JONES, subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at 114- Vyse street, Birmingham, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bracelets and Similar Articles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has relation principally to adjustable bracelets, watch and other wristlets and similar articles, but may also be applied to other adjustable articles lwhich can be constructed of iiexible chain or link Work, such as adjustable chains for closing the mouths of bags, purses and like receptacles.

The object of the said invention is to provide a springless bracelet or similar chain or link-work which can be readily adjusted or expanded and contracted, together with positively operating means for adjusting such chain and for securing the same after adjustment.

AccordingI to the invention I propose to make up the bracelet or other article from a series of chain-links which are so constructed and connected as to be slidablerelative to one another, and in conjunction with this chain, to use a small adjusting chain or cord which is passed through either the whole or some of the said links, and is connected to a mechanical device for winding up or shortening the adjusting chain and thereby closing or contracting the bracelet chain. The windingdevice is also adapted to serve as a fastening which positively secures the bracelet in its contracte-d condition.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is an elevation (partly in section) of an adjustable watch-wristlet constructed in ac cordance with one form of my invention and provided with a self-retaining adjusting and fastening device. Fig, 2 represents upon an enlarged scale, a side elevation of a part of the main link-work. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional plan of F ig. 2 showing how adjustingchain guides are embodied in each alternate link of the main chain, also the arrangements which provide for the relative sliding movement of the main links. Figs. Li, 5 and 6 respectively represent cross sectional views of Fig. 3, taken upon the dotted lines a', .r1 and m2. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section, on a further enlarged scale, showing the construction of the self-retaining winding and locking device for taking up and paying out the adjusting chains. Fig. 8 is a horizontal section of the self-retaining Winder taken upon the dotted line w3 Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is another sectional vieW taken upon the dotted line m4 Fig. 7. Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view of an alternative construction of winding drum wherein the winding device is locked by a positively-operated arrangement which provides for the adjustment of the bracelet by rotating the winding drum in either direction. This view shows the parts in the positions they assume when the rotatable parts of the winder are locked. Fig. 1l is a similar view to Fig. 10. but shows the positions the parts assume when the rotatable drum is released to admit of its movement for taking up or paying out the adjusting chains. Figs. 1Q and 13 are two horizontal sectional views taken upon Vthe ,dotted line m5 Fig. l0 showing the winderfastening devices in their Vengaged and disengaged positions respectively. Fig. l-l represents, in two. different sections and in plan, the stationary parts of the winding device in which the drum-locking bolts are mounted. Fig. 15 shows in section, a modified winding and locking device embodying a spring which is tensioned when the bracelet is expanded and takes up the adjusting chains automatically when released.

The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.v

Describing first the general arrangement of the link-work of the adjustable wristlet and the winding and locking mechanism represented in Figs. l to 9, the said wristlet comprises two adjustable lengths of chain A, A1, each consisting of an assemblage of relatively slidable links a, b, and I provide each alternate link c with a small tubular guide g, wherethrough the adjusting chains are passed. These chains A, A1 are `respectively anchored, at one end c1 to suitable attachments a2 on the opposite sides of the watch case c1, while the links a3 at their other extremities are anchored to the opposite sides of a small case d1 containing the winding mechanism, which consists of a rotary drum Z connected to an external disk tively holding the same after it has been ro* tated: the ratchet e being aiiixed to the windingv drum, while the spring-actuated pawl e1 is pivoted to the bottom of the case and is extended through a slot in the side of said lcase to form a release-pusher e?.

Through the 'guides in the alternate links a of each section of the bracelet chai-n, I

-pass a length of small chain f (or flexible cord) one end f1 being fastened to an anchoring device carried by the adjacent attachment a2 on the watch case, while the `gother extremity is passed through an aperture Zt in the side of the winder box and is attached to the inclosed drum as shown in Fig. 9. With such. an` arrangement, when y the adjusting cords or chains a-re unwound,

the braceletig expanded to its lmaximum size j and can readily be passed over ithe yhand on to the wrist. Then by rotating the winding device, the ends ofthe said chains are `taken up around the drum and simultaneously the relatively-.slidable bracelet links confined between the watch case and the Winder box are gathered or drawn together around .the wrist until the bracelet-tits firmly -in its pl-ace l the relative sliding lmovement of Vthe links is providedfor by arranging the `pins 'c5 (which connect the chainsguides g to the side plates `c6 of the alternate links a) to work in longitudinal slots 65Min .the side plateszof the links as clearly shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. I may, however, adopt any other'constructions which 'will admit of the desired movementwhen thel adjusting chain is .takenup or paid out, and ymay also modify the form and arrangement of the chainguides as desired.

The "terminal links of the bracelet-chain and the ends of the adjusting chain may also j bel anchored by any other suitable means than those embodied in the watch-wristlet represented in the drawings, while in the case of ordinary expanding bracelets and like adj ustable-chains, instead of two lengths of adjusting chainl or cord, I may use a single length which passes right through the bracelet chain, and is connected at its zopposite ends to the winding drumz-or yone-end only ofthe said chain may be attached to the said drum while the other end is anchored to the winding drum casing. The oppositeextremities of the single bracelet chain are, in

this construction, anchored respectively to the opposite sides of lhe winding-drum casing.

The windingarrangements described in connection with the bracelet shown in Figs. l to 9 only admit of the adjusting chain-being taken up when the winding drum is rotated in one particular direction, but the construction represented in Figs. l0 to 14: provides an effective means of adjustment which is operative for taking up the adjusting chain, when rotated in either direction', so that there is no liability of the samebeing damaged by the user end'eavoring kto turn the winding drum the wrong way. The locking` and releasing mechanism is positive in both its actions. In the arrangement shown in the said Figs. 10 to'll, the casing d1 of thewinding device is `connected with the lbracelet link-work asdescribedin connection with Figs. l to 9, and'thevextremities of the adjusting chain f are passed `through apertures (Z4 in the said box and attached to winding drum CZ, which (after the bracelet has been kfully expanded) may be rotated in either direction to take up the ends vor .the adjusting'chain. This drum, which isrigy idly connected to a rotatableoperating disk (Z3 that also constitutes the cover ofthe box d1,`surrounds a sleeve (Z6 whichfoccupies :the center of, and is rigidly attached to the body of the said box, and as thisbody is an# chored directly to .theend-links of the bracelet, both it and the central sleeve are `stationary relative .to the rotatable drum-.operating disk. This sleeve is also utilized as a carrier for an externally-controlled farrangerment of bolts or fasteners whereby fthe op, erating disk and drum are positively locked to the" box ,body after the adjustment-of ythe chain, and :torI this purpose., the upper .endl of said sleeve isextended yto within .a short distance lof the rotatable disk 'and whas atf tached to it, va guide Z7 of suitable section which is furnished with a `pair of slidable 110 bolts g, g1. The outer ends v of these bolts are adapted to engage with an annular series of teeth h, carried by the drum-operating v disk da, while'their inner ends are 4arranged Y Y so that .they have contact at g2 with cam- 115 acting edges a? on a pusher c', which is carried by the'sleeve de and'extends outwardly through an opening lin :the center of the relatively-rotatable disk; the outer end eof the said pusher being rpreferably provided with 120 a small head', sothat tihesame can be forced inwardly by finger pressure, or lwithdra-wn by lthe thumb and finger. The said boltoperating vpusher (which works at `a right zangle to the bolts) carries at its lowerzend, a 125 small sleeve 3 containing-a :spir-alspring 4 whose ends make frictional con-tact with the inside of ythe -cei-itralslceve Z6 for retaining the said pusher in any position in which it Y may -be placed. The :sleeve 2'? alsofactsas a 130 stop to prevent the pusher being detached when the same is drawn out as shown in Fig. l1. These several parts are so arranged that, When the pusher is pressed inward into the box (see Fig. 10) after the adjusting` chain has been Wound up to the desired extent, its cams 1 act upon the bolts at g2 and force the latter apart so that their outer ends are engaged With the teeth on the drumoperating disk which is thereby locked to the bolt-carrier and consequently to the body of the device, (see Figs. 10 and 12) so that the adjusting chain and the contracted links of the bracket are positively secured. Un the other hand, When the pusher is Withdrawn (see Figs. 11 and 13) the Winding drum is free to be rotated for paying out the chain and permitting the expansion of the bracelet. If the pusher is Withdrawn when the bracelet is in position on a Wrist, the slight pull which is necessary to actuate the said pusher is also sufiicient to pull theadjusting chain olf the released Winding drum, and thus the locking device is unfastened and the bracelet expanded by the one movement.

Instead of using a pair of sliding bolts operated or controlled by. a sliding pusher, I may employ only a single bolt: or instead of controlling the bolt or bolts by a device having an inward and outward sliding action, I may employ a small rotary cam piece which is mounted on a central sleeve or other support in rigid connection With the body of the drum-containing box, and is connected to an external device suitable for actuating the said cam Without interfering With the independent rotation of the drumoperating disk.

A spring or springs may be used to Withdraw or disengage the bolts when released by the controlling cam; or the cam or push piece may be arranged so that same will both engage and disengage the said bolts, but if the teeth on the operating disk are suitably curved or rounded (as shown in Figs. 12 and 13) their action on the engaging ends of the bolts under the pull of the Wound-up chain Will suffice to take the said bolt ends clear as soon as the restraint of the controlling slide or cam is removed. Further, I do not confine myself to the arrangements above described, but may use any externally-controlled positively-acting bolt or locking mechanism which, When the bolts are Withdrawn, Will admit of the drumoperating disk being rotated (preferably in either direction) for Winding up or paying out the adjusting chain.

In the arrangement represented in Fig. 15, the Winding' drum d to which the extremities of the adjusting chains j are connected, contains a volute spring m, one end of Which is attached to the said drum While the other end is secured to a stationary part, i

mum size, as the case may be.

such as the central sleeve Z5 carried by the winding box or casing all: the arrangement being such that the said spring 'm is Wound up or tensioned when the adjusting chains are drawn out by the expansion of the bracelet, While When the expanding pull on the said chains is relieved, the springl operates automatically to draw in the chains and either adjust the bracelet to the Wrist or contract the same to its mini- In order to secure the bracelet in its adjusted position When the spring is tensioned, I may use a ratchet on the said drum in combination with a push-released pavvl such as shovvn in Figs. 1 to 9, or any other suitable arrangement, but in the device shown in Fig. 15, the locking means operates to prevent movement of the Winding drum in either direction, and consists of a slide n, mounted in the central sleeve d5 and provided vvith lateral projections nl adapted (when the said slide is depressed) to engage simultaneously with notches d1 al?, in the upper edges of the Winder drum al and sleeve d5 so as to rigidly secure these two latter parts to one another, While When the said projections are disengaged by the lifting of theslide, the spring is free to rotate the drum in the proper direction for automatically taking up the adjusting chains.

The particular application of the various forms of the invention to the other exible and adjustable chain-Work articles before mentioned diers in no essential respect from their application to Watch Wristlets and bracelets as herein described.

I-Iaving described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s:-

1. In a flexible and adjustable bracelet or the like, the combination of a chain composed of links Which are slidable relatively to one another` circumferentially of the bracelet, a member to Which the end links of said chain are anchored, and an inelastic, flexible element passed through said links, whereby movement of the ends of said element toward each other Will effect the sliding movement of said links.

2. In a flexible and adjustable bracelet or the like, the combination of a chain composed of links Which are slidable relatively to one another circumferentially of the bracelet, certain of Which links are provided with central guides, a member to Which the end links of said chain are anchored, and an inelastic, flexible element passed through said links and guides, vvhereby movement of the ends of said element tovvard each other will effect the sliding movement of said links.

3. In a flexible and adjustable bracelet or the like, the combination of a chain, the adjacent, component links of which have pinand-slot Connections, to permit relative slidlin testimony whereof I have hereunto s et ing movement thereof circumfeientially of my hand in presence of tWo subscribing Wlt- 10 the lozteelet, a member to which the end nesses.

links of said chain are anchored and an f f inelastic, exible element passed7 through ERNEST JON-ES' said links, whereby movement of the enols of lVitnesses:

said element toward each other Will effect ARTHUR SADLER,

the sliding movement of seidl links. E. REEVE.

lCopiers of this patent may be obtained for five cents each,4 by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. C. 

